Senators GM Pierre Dorion asks for patience as rebuild enters its next phase

As the Ottawa Senators sent top centre Matt Duchene to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday morning only hours before facing them at the Canadian Tire Centre, general manager Pierre Dorion’s message to fans was not to abandon ship.

“We knew, through this rebuild, there’d be tough moments and there’d be good moments,” Dorion told reporters at the rink on Friday night. “We’ve got a chance to see some pretty good young players play for us. If you just look at a guy like Rudolfs Balcers, how he’s played in the last 10 games …

“And it’s part of the process of the rebuild. And all we’re asking is our fans to be patient. And we have to respect the player’s right that it’s their right through the CBA that they can be free agents. And in Matt’s case, that was his choice. And we have to do what’s best for the organization.

“At times it’s a bit more difficult, but we know, at the end of the day, we’re making the right decision.”

And, there could be at least two more difficult decisions made by the time the wheeling and dealing comes to a close on Monday with the trade deadline set for 3 p.m.

For the second straight game, Mark Stone and Ryan Dzingel were scratched as they wait to find out what’s next. In the case of Dzingel, he has one foot out the door after he turned down a five-year extension worth in excess of $20 million, while the Stone situation remains, at the very least, intriguing.

Though the Senators have been listening to offers on Stone in the past 10 days, those efforts were stepped up by Dorion after the alternate captain’s camp turned down an eight-year contract extension before Ottawa’s 4-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Thursday at the Prudential Center.

Of course, it’s doubtful the 26-year-old Stone will suit up for the Senators again, but no doors have been completely shut. Sure, Ottawa set a 7 p.m. deadline on Thursday, but there’s still time to get a contract in place, and Dorion left a glimmer of hope.

“We’re still working on a few others to stay,” said Dorion. “However, we have to be prepared for every scenario. We’re confident in our hockey group’s abilities, my abilities as a GM to make good trades for the rebuild and for our fans to see something glorious in the next few years.

“We knew this rebuild would be difficult. Every rebuild has challenges, but we want to look at the big picture, and we’ve got a very bright future.”

Asked if he’d circle back to Stone, Dorion was tight-lipped.

“Through this process, we’ve respected the process and Mark Stone is someone I have the utmost respect for so I don’t think we should be discussing that,” Dorion said.

It’s highly doubtful Stone will stay, especially after the Senators started shopping his name more aggressively on Thursday when was scratched in New Jersey. The market for Stone will be big, with a league executive suggesting to Postmedia all the teams in the playoff race will show interest.

That means 17 or 18 teams have likely contacted Dorion, but the reality is there’s probably seven or eight that are considered serious. The Winnipeg Jets, Calgary Flames, Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning are believed to be among the teams that have at least called on Stone.

It’s believed the asking price is high and it would make sense if the Senators wanted more of a return than they received for Duchene — which was a No. 1 pick, two prospects and a conditional pick if he re-signs. The Senators likely want four pieces for Stone, and that may include a high-end prospect.

As for Dzingel, several teams have been sniffing around, including the Boston Bruins and possibly the Chicago Blackhawks. It’s believed his camp turned down a five-year deal worth more than $4 million per season and, as a result, he’s going to be traded by Monday.

League executives indicated to Postmedia on Friday the Senators either want a high-end prospect or a first-round pick for Dzingel. He has 22 goals and 44 points this season. If the club can’t get a first-round selection, it’s possible that Dorion will then try to get two pieces.

Naturally, fans are frustrated to see these players heading out the door.

Dorion made it clear that efforts have been made to keep the trio. He said the club believes it still has good veterans with Cody Ceci, Zack Smith, Mark Borowiecki, Bobby Ryan and Craig Anderson on the roster.

“From the start, we’ve wanted to keep our core veterans,” Dorion said. “We’ve made every effort possible and we’ve gone to the wall to try to sign them.”

Unless he signs, fans won’t get a chance to see Stone in an Ottawa uniform again.

“We’re disappointed about not fielding the best possible team, but at the same time — and the onus is on me — we have to find balance in doing what’s best for the organization,” Dorion said. “At this point time, tonight, he’s not playing. I can’t tell you about Sunday (against Calgary).”

The talk about dealing the unrestricted free agents has been around for months, but reality set in Friday.

LISTEN: In this week’s Off The Post podcast, Postmedia national hockey writer Mike Traikos takes us through the likelihood of the Senators, Canadiens, Leafs, Flames, Jets, Canucks, and Oilers being active on NHL trade deadline day.

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